Wedson Nyirenda has named his final 22-member 2017 Cosafa Cup team that has three Zambia Under-20 stars.
Defenders Solomon Sakala and Moses Nyondo including midfielder Boston Muchindu who were part of the U20 AFCON champions team that reached the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup quarterfinals in South Korea, will make the trip on Thursday to the ongoing tournament South Africa is hosting from June 25-July 9.
But striker Conlyde Luchanga of Lusaka Dynamos has been axed.
Midfielder Emmanuel Banda has dropped out of the team following his move this week from Portuguese club Esmoriz to Belgium league side KV Oostende who will represent their country in the Europa League next season.
Nyirenda has now one foreign-based player in the 2017 Cosafa Cup team in midfielder Salulani Phiri of Polokwane City in South Africa.
And 12 players who featured in the June 13 away friendly match against Bafana Bafana that Zambia won 2-1 dominate the team.
But Ronald Kampamba of Nkana,who was part of that team, was not picked together with Fwayo Tembo of Power Dynamos who did not travel for that friendly.
Zambia kick-off their 2017 Cosafa Cup campaign on July 1 when they face Botswana in the quarterfinals.
Both sides enter the competition at the last 8 stage after they were handed preliminary group stage byes.
GOALKEEPERS: Kelvin Malunga (Nkana), Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos)
DEFENDERS: Donashano Malama, Moses Nyondo (both Nkana), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Solomon Sakala (Napsa Stars), Lawrence Chungu (Power Dynamos), Isaac Samujomba (Nchanga Rangers), Webster Mulenga(Red Arrows)
MIDFIELDERS:Mwansa Nsofwa (Lusaka Dynamos), Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles), Diamond Chikwekwe, Jack Chirwa,Mike Katiba (all Green Buffaloes), Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars), Godfrey Ngwenya (Power Dynamos), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City,South Africa), Boston Muchindu (Nkana)
STRIKERS: Brian Mwila (Green Buffaloes), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi), Lubinda Mundia (Red Arrows), Chitiya Mususu (Napsa Stars)
Ala bwafya. Lol. Tell us how it goes…. the U20s are what’s up right now.
Sad
It looks like zambia B to me. we will do well, no pressure of big names.
THIS TEAM WILL GO NO WHERE…..I wonder if this coach watches local league. How did he select those players? Look at the strikers…Those who watch local league will agree with me that the coach has left best strikers in the league back home. Who is currently the best and inform striker at Red Arrows ….he has left him behind….
Kaili chipuba
I can not believe that he has left out Cletus Chota Chama!!!!Does this coach know what he is doing????
I think the team is ok I wish the young star Luchanga was given a last chance…
Funny how Zesco United are suddenly missing from the line-up.
Solola Bye!
I thought he would pick some of the powerful strikers from the victorious under 20 team; I hope Nyirenda has enough striking power because that has always been our major problem, but the under 20 team found some wining formula. All the best boys and get the Cosafa cup again!
I would have loved to see the under 20 striking force replacing the senior strikers. This coach is full of experiments. Kaya. I will not watch the game..!
We are going to fire him after this tournament.
sad no ZANACO and ZESCO players.
the team is heading no where. the coach must be fired
Include Martin Phiri
It’s good the coach is looking into the junior boys to reinforce his team. However, he need to do more as the current team is more likely not to make it as it lacks fire-power !!! If I were him, I would actually bring-into the senior squad more of the “South Korea” lads because keeping the current senior team has very “little” probability of making it; we mighty as well try the fresh lads ; even if the youngsters lose, it would be a nice experiment than continuing with the team we have tried several times without much results. Not to mean that senior team is a “write-off”, but to recognize the fact that we have a “reserve” team that has proved its performance level to be exceptional and encouraging. One still and always wonders why we are not brave enough as a nation to give the…
Wishing the chipolopolo boys all the best. Go Zambia and conquer , bring the cosafa cup back home